Rae Schwarz's Blog
Posted by Rae Schwarz
It's that time again... when I am off to the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. This area just east of Las Vegas is home to some 2,000 year old petroglyphs and some friends of mine host an annual gathering, where we use one of the group campsites at the park. Having now been to this location for the past two years, I feel I have a better handle on what to expect and what to bring.
It's not as self-sufficient a gathering as something like Burning Man, but then again, this is a group that is only about 100 people. It's much more about a quiet, connecting experience. We have potable water on site and we have pit toilets. Other than that, we do take care of ourselves. I've got a small group organized who are a little "supper club" where the few of us have banded together to deal with food. The person driving in is bringing the stove, people flying in chip in for supplies brought by folks locally. Dinner preparation rotates and so does dish-washing. This lets us create easy meals in a situation with high temps, refrigeration that's only as sophisticated as ice coolers and camp stoves.
Two folding tent poles and a shade cloth are going to provide extra shade, so that some of the day sleeping that goes on will hopefully be more cool than inside the tents. You need max shade and max airflow to stay comfortable during the day, and often it seems cooler in shade outside of everyone's tents. I'm arriving a touch earlier this year, determined to get a better piece of tenting real estate this year. We're expecting day time temps into the mid 90s Fahrenheit.
Posted by Rae Schwarz
As someone who camps in the desert regularly, I've heard the old adage about taking salt tablets. Now, I'd always presumed that the salt just made you retain water to help prevent dehydration. I personally usually carry around some packets of electrolyte powder and make sure to drink a pint of water with one packet in it at some point each day. However, I just read some interesting info that's got me thinking I might be bringing some salt along for my trip in two weeks.
I just finished reading The Practical Handbook of Plant Alchemy: An Herbalist's Guide to Preparing Medicinal Essences, Tinctures, and Elixirs by Manfred M. Junius. He's studied both European alchemy and Indian ayurvedic medicine. I've been interested in making tinctures from herbs in my yard and this book has been a great resource.
In one chapter, Junius talks about being in India and how all manner of food he eats was salted. At first he found the taste a bit strange, but then he really liked how sweet things might have a touch of salt on them. He also noticed that many laborers were still taking salt tablets, much like the 19th century British troops who were sent to India. Through conversations with his teachers, he learned that it wasn't about water retention, but in fact, the salt was used by the body as part of an endothermic reaction, essentially helping to release heat and keep you cooler. The book provides a more complex chemical explanation that that for those of you who are curious.
As I've never been one who has done all that well in high temp environments, I'm really tempted to give this a try this year.
Posted by Rae Schwarz
This May I will make my third trip to the Valley of Fire, about an hour east and just a touch north of Las Vegas, Nevada. I go for an annual fire circle gathering. Most of the folks are urbanites from the Vegas area but a good bunch also come from all over the US and a few from points beyond. The whole event is usually just over 100 people.
I used to drive there with a friend but now I'm far enough away, I fly in to go camping. Really, the slight gear schlep is worth it to me, versus pitching in to rent an RV, which is how about half the folks work it. The rest of us pitch tents and put up shade structures over them to keep things cooler. During the day, it's mostly about sleeping and hydrating, while at night, there is dancing, drumming, singing and playing.
I just found one camping items I've been hunting for: a collapsible spare tent pole. This is going to let me do a better job of rigging my shade structure, a larger pale tarp. Often, I just need one higher tie-off point to make a shaded area and it's not always easy to find. If I find one point on site now, I can choose to shade my tent, or I can make a shaded area next to my tent with the tarp, sort of sleeping porch with better ventilation. If you have shade, sleeping outside during the day is easy. The only thing that's really out there is lizards, and they tend to avoid sleeping humans.
Posted by Rae Schwarz
It's hard to know what to get a traveler these days for a gift. The travel alarm clock gets scanned and inspected in case it's a bomb. Anything with GPS can't be used on a plane. Anything that's a bottle of liquid is right out. Add all that to increased security and shrinking on-board storage allowances and giving gifts to a traveler starts to get harder to do.
One item I was given and didn't think much of until I actually used it was an inflatable travel pillow. It was from a friend and seemed sort of cheesy until I was assigned an aisle seat on my next flight. Without a bulkhead to lean against, I dreaded trying to get sleep and not have my head fall into the aisle and get whacked with the drink cart. However, this small and clever pillow just blew up and fit neatly around my neck, stopping any somnambulistic head wobbles into the danger zone. I felt sort of silly finding myself getting really excited over this small piece of inflatable, flocked vinyl, but that one travel experience had me sold from that point on.
They are made in much better materials now, which makes them look better and they feel a lot more comfortable. I still go with an inflatable as I feel it packs much better than those models stuffed with buckwheat or fiber-fill. Remember, if you are still ascending when you blow up your pillow, leave it just a tad softer than you wish, the increasing altitude will make it get firmer
Posted by Rae Schwarz
For the twelve years I lived in SF, I negotiated and navigated a lot of the city on foot. I guess you can say I appreciated how small it really is for being a big city. Seattle is a lot larger, and it's hilly, and it's got these huge waterways to cross which are all over the place. I'm really getting to know the city more by bus here overall.
I've got a cute neighborhood, with plenty of boutique shops and restaurants within what I consider easy walking distance. (3-6 blocks) There are zero "corner stores" as I experienced them in SF. I always lived in apartments in SF, whereas I'm in a house in Seattle. But there is a great community center with classes and cool art programs. I never had anything like that in SF. And I'm within walking distance of the city zoo. I haven't gone and checked it out yet but I should. We did "win" a slot in the drawing this past fall for "zoo doo" which is compost created by the zoo. When you won, you got as much as you'd asked for when you applied. We got a pickup-truck-bed-full, as that's what we had available to do pickup. It took care of our entire back yard garden.
I live near Greenlake and this city park has an amazing walking/biking track that runs around the lake. When the weather is clear, brisk or warm, it's a fantastic break that really minimizes the feeling of being in a city. It reminds me a bit of living near Golden Gate Park. I am also adjacent a solid bus route that directly services downtown, a feature that every single neighborhood I lived in SF also had. That's definitely one of my constants. Moderately late night service is also available on that line, another feature of transit I consider key.
Posted by Rae Schwarz
It's not something that airlines or travelers like to have happen, but every now and again, instead of just being delayed, an air traveler finds themselves stranded due to a flight cancellation. It's no fun but there are a few things you can make be a part of your regular air travel routine which can help alleviate little annoyances that make a bad situation become worse.
Make sure you have essentials with you, not in checked luggage. This includes medicines, money, addresses and phone numbers, and personal care essentials. I don't wear contact lenses anymore, but when I did, I always made sure a case for my contacts and my glasses were with me. I had a few close calls where I almost didn't have cash or an ATM card, mostly in my college years, and I chose to leave from those instances rather than repeat them.
On travel days, I always wear something that I can adjust to be a bit warmer or cooler if need be. I'm not going to presume to get a blanket on a plane and then wind up freezing as we sit delayed on the tarmac. Likewise, being overheated or too cold in a terminal can make delays stretch to forever. I once spent five hours sitting in a plane on a runway watching crews de-ice the wings repeatedly, all the while being thankful I was wearing very comfortable pants. I always travel with a book I'm about to start reading, not one I'm about to finish. And on long flights or during winter months, I might just have two books with me.
Posted by Rae Schwarz
A new report I read this morning talks about how residents in Seattle may be at extra risk of not getting enough Vitamin D in the winter due to lack of sunlight. However, it was then pointed out that just about anyone who resides above the 35 degree of latitude line falls into the broadest category of those who are not getting enough sun exposure.
The 35th latitude runs across the southern 1/3 of the US, which really means that science has just discovered that the bulk of the US isn't getting enough Vitamin D for about half of the calendar year. So, the conundrum becomes, do you take supplements, put in special light bulbs or travel in winter?
This year, without any info on Vitamin D, I put in a full-spectrum bulb above my computer desk. It was just around the winter solstice and it just seemed way to dark and depressing to me. I had a lamp near my desk and decided on a lark to put in a full-spectrum bulb to see if it made an difference. I still got plenty of light to type and read by, but sure enough, within just a few weeks, I didn't feel so oppressed by the winter weather even though we were still having a lot of rain and the temps were still getting colder. And color-wise, I do like the warmer tones of light put out by the new bulb too.
Full-spectrum bulbs cost a bit more than regular ones, but I think the health investment in the long-term is going to be worth it. And it's cheaper than an airplane ticket south.
Posted by Rae Schwarz
Is there a "good" time to travel? The more I think about it, the more I find that the concept of "good" is relative. There are those who automatically say that summer is a better time than winter. And then I think those folks have never been in Florida or Chicago in the summer and had to face down some world-class humidity.
Living in the Bay Area, I learned that whereas other airports might be sunny and clear in the summer, SFO most definitely battles fog all summer, as coastal conditions pull the marine layer in, blanketing the entire area with decreased visibility. Whenever I arrived delayed, whoever was picking me up from the airport would be incredulous that there was a weather delay, as though such a thing in June was impossible. I've also pointed out to several people that some airports get delays and stop flights due to intense summer thunderstorms. Only Midwesterners who fly frequently seem to be really aware of that fact.
Winter travel often is worth braving some ice, snow and delays if it lets you escape to warmer climates. Skiers don't care if the flight is delayed as long as there is still ski-able snow on the ground when they get to their destination.
Traveling during changing season can be a nightmare to pack for, as you try and make sure you have clothing for not only the right occasions, but the right temperatures. A few times, I've been saved by having the good fortune of staying in a town with friends who are physically close to my size. And sometimes I just break down and go shopping for that one clothing item I don't have that will make my entire trip easier.
When it comes down to it, I travel when I travel, whether it's a "good" time or not.
Posted by Rae Schwarz
It's not like I was totally surprised. I've had this rolling duffle bag for many years now. It itself was purchased when a former duffle bag suffered an untimely passage due to a shower leaking into a closet and creating some truly spectacular mold.
The original duffle bag was canvas with two simple nylon straps, one on the side and one at one end. The zipper was huge and touch. But the mold literally ate a huge hole in the bottom and the rest of the item was just too riddled with moldly spots to make repair seem worth it.
So, the nylon rolling duffle was found. It really did schlep better, as it had a stiff plastic bottom and wheels at one end. Things got crushed less as it held its shape, and it also was a much drier container when it came to travel in wet weather.
Slowly it's gotten some wear and tear. One plastic runner on the bottom has threatened to break off and has been glued a few times. But after this last trip, one of the zipper pulls was deformed and came off. Being a dual zipper bag, it actually didn't effect the luggage and it still performed admirably. However, I can tell that this piece of favorite luggage is slowly getting old. I know it will make it through my camping trip in May, when it will be required to hold a tent and other site gear, but I think it's time to start looking at how luggage has changed in shape and materials over the last ten years....
Posted by Rae Schwarz
When it comes to getting ready, I'll confess, I just make a list. I took a piece of paper and just drew some rough columns on it, heading each with the names of the days of my trip, including travel days. I had year's of trips where I felt sort of over-packed and finally realized I never included the clothing I wore on those days in my plans.
My scheme is that for however many days of travel, cut that number in half and that's how many outfits I assemble. Each item has to mix and match with two other things. For example, my stretchy leggings go with the long sleeve t-shirt and the over-shirt with pockets. If the two shirts are chosen so that they compliment each other, you then get what I call two and a half outfits, one where each shirt goes with the pants, and I can wear the two shirts layered if I need the warmth. I know people who bring a separate and distinct outfit for each day, and I after years of over-packing and unrealistically-heavy bags, I'm over it.
From past years at the hotel where I'm staying, I already know the rooms all have their own irons and ironing boards. I still tend to roll clothes up when packing, as it just takes up less room, but it's great to already know I don't have to do the bathroom steam trick if things are too wrinkly.
One thing I'm doing new this year is bringing my house slippers to wear inside the hotel. I don't know why I never thought of this before, but I'm sure my feet will appreciate being warm and out of regular shoes at the end of the day. After many years of forgetting, one of the first things I packed this year was a bathing suit. The hotel hot tub often isn't crowded even though this is a big convention because many people don't think to bring a bathing suit with them to San Jose in February.
Posted by Rae Schwarz
If there's one part of my travel routine that's really changed, it's my carry-on bag. After a few years where I took more and more stuff with me on a plane, it's reversed itself and now I find myself approaching the subject as minimally as I can.
What used to be a rather heavy backpack is now a much smaller and lighter tiny duffle bag. The one thing I miss bringing on the plane the most is my own water. I'm not sure if it's the temp, the taste or having to bug the flight attendant a lot, but I miss being able to take care of my own water needs.
I put on a much heavier moisturizer than I used to wear during travel and just leave all the rest in my checked-bags. Ditto for most of my camera gear. A nice padded bag that fits inside my checked luggage has protected those items well and I've not had trouble since I stopped taking them in my carry-on.
A book is ever-present in my carry-on as is something to write with and paper. The one thing I forget the most is my neck pillow. A eye mask is nice, as my #1 mid-air activity is most often sleeping. There's nothing better for making a flight pass quickly.
Posted by Rae Schwarz
With two weeks until my upcoming trip to PantheaCon, I'm just starting to get my act together. Now is the perfect time to start keeping an eye out on weather in the destination area. I'll have a minimum of outside weather to deal with really, and a lot of hotel/convention rooms. Those can be way too chilly, overheated, stuffy/airless and any combination of the former. I also know from past attendances that I might take workshops that are a lecture that has me sitting, followed by a movement workshop that has me dancing, followed by something that has me standing up and sitting down repeatedly.
I'm starting to pull out good clothing items as I do my usual laundry, setting them aside in a packing pile. Everything I pack has to match with two other items, i.e. pants much match two shirts, shirts much match the skirt and the pants, etc. This is going to let me mix and match a really small amount of clothing items for a flexible layered look over the four day weekend. And it should be equally comfortable on my flights down and back.
Posted by Rae Schwarz
My Hawaiian trip was almost perfect gear and packing-wise.
I came home with only one clothing instance of "I wish I'd brought...X." The one clothing thing I would have done differently was to bring a microfleece pullover shirt. Otherwise, I'm glad I went with my own clothing sense and ignored all the Oahu residents who kept saying "it's freezing!" when it was only about 70 degrees with a mild breeze. Compared to Seattle in December, it was balmy the entire time, even when it rained on me.
The one gear thing is something I've been ignoring for many years of camping now. A tent stake mallet. I just find a rock wherever I wind up and use that. This time, I had a really easy time hammering in stakes, esp compared to the Nevada desert or California mountains. However, I also lost my grip on just one blow, just enough to wind up with a huge and uncomfortable and visible bruise on the palm of my hand, just at the base of my fingers. I really didn't enjoy that, and it's not the first time something like that has happened. So, just a few weeks after getting home, I am now the owner of a nice, hefty-but-plastic mallet for pounding tent stakes. It's lightweight, bright red and gets to live in the tent bag. I've talked about getting something like this for years, it just finally took an annoying injury for me to do it.
Posted by Rae Schwarz
My first travel of 2007 is officially on the books. I'm headed to San Jose for a convention in February. I skipped this event last year as I'd just moved to Seattle and couldn't afford to run back.
I've also got a Memorial Day trip to Boston this year for a wedding. I suppose I should start looking for something to wear now, as this is not going to be one of my usual West Coast alternative weddings, and I can't go dressed as a winged fairy to this one. Too bad....
I'd also like to find a way to get to CA in April for a gathering over Earth Day weekend. It's that or maybe try and get there in early June for another group who I missed being with last year. That's a hard toss up to call.